For 13-year old Jhon Rhod Amodia, it is not a hindrance to share blessings to others regardless of age and status in life.
“Sa panahon karon, nakita nako nga daghan nagkinahanglan tungod halos kasagaran trabaho naundang man sama sa mga drivers, construction workers ug mananagat mao naka-hunahuna ko isip usa ka batang kristiyano nga motabang ko bisan sa ginagmay nga pamaagi kay matod pa sa pulong sa Ginoo nga mabasa sa bibliya sa Mateo 22:39 Higugmaa ang imong isig katawo sama sa imong kaugalingon (During this time, I saw that there are many who are in need because most of the jobs have to temporarily stop like the drivers, construction workers and fishermen and that is why as a Christian child, I need to help them even in my small way because as the word of God in Matthew 22:39 says, You shall love your neighbor as yourself),” said Jhon Rhod.
The 2019 Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children regional winner who hails from Barangay Gabi, Cordova, Cebu, is the eldest son of Teodulfo and Jonalyn Amodia. His younger and only sibling is Jose Rodulfo, 9 years old.
Teodulfo is a project-based construction worker. When there is no available work, he drives a “trisikad” while Jonalyn helps her husband put food on the table by managing her own “sari-sari” store. She also occasionally sells food in their neighborhood.
Recently, Jhon Rhod decided to make a relief drive for his neighbors using his savings in his “alkansiya”. His mother Jonalyn also added some money to fulfil his plan.
“Pinaagi sa tabang sa Ginoo, nakuha nako ang maong kantidad nga igong ikapalit sa relief goods ug nagpasalamat ako nga natubag ang akong mga pag-ampo kay dako gayud ang akong tinguha sa akong kasingkasing nga makatabang ako sa uban nga nanginahanglan sama namo (Through the help of God, I was able to gather the amount that is enough to buy relief goods and I was grateful that my prayers were answered because in my heart I am determined to help others especially those who are in need, like us),” explained Jhon Rhod.
Fifty neighbors including their churchmates were the recipients of Jhon Rhod’s relief drive.
The relief goods included 2 kilos of rice, 2 noodles, 2 canned sardines and 4 eggs wrapped in a plastic container.
Activities during quarantine
While the classes have to suspend by mid-March 2020 due to the community quarantine, Jhon Rhod did not just idle around and waste the time to pass.
He made an effort to help his parents in their household chores while following safety protocols against the corona virus disease (COVID-19).
“Nagtabang ko sa akong Papa sa pagpamisbis sa mga tanom ug nagtanom kami kuyog sa akong manghod og utanon sulod sa kaang sama sa kamatis, alugbate, talong ug ampalaya. Importante pud nga pirme limpyo imung panlawas ug palibot aron makalikay ta sa sakit (I helped my father in watering the plants and together with my younger brother, we planted vegetables in pots like tomato, spinach, eggplant and bitter gourd. It is also important that we are also clean in our body and our surroundings to avoid getting sick),” said Jhon Rhod.
During his break time, he also finds time to play with his younger brother and neighbors.
Emergency Cash Subsidy
Jonalyn also shared that by the time they received their regular cash grant in 4Ps and the emergency cash subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), she immediately secured their basic necessities like food and vitamins.
“Pagkadawat nako kay gipalit jud nako para sa among konsumo sama sa usang sakong bugas, vitamins ug gatas sa mga bata ug gi-budget ang nahabilin para pang-sud-an (By the time I received the cash grants, I immediately purchase items for our basic needs like one sack of rice, vitamins and milk for the children and I budgeted the remaining money for our viands),” said Jonalyn.
She underscored that the cash grants in 4Ps and the emergency cash subsidy under SAP helped their family during the community quarantine since her husband has to stop driving the “trisikad”.
Jonalyn also emphasized that saving money is important because people can have something to use in time of need.
“Isip 4Ps beneficiaries kinahanglan kabalo ta unsaon pag-gamit sa hinabang gikan sa gobyerno aron kung adunay mahitabo dili nata maglisod og kuot ug dili magpataka gastos sa dili importante nga mga butang ug motabang ta sa uban nga nagkalisud na gayud (As 4Ps beneficiaries, one should know how to use the assistance provided by the government so that during troubled times it would not be difficult for us because we have savings, we should not spend money to unnecessary things and help those who are in dire need),” added Jonalyn. ###
(66) Views